Drugs advisers quit in protest at chief's sacking

By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) - Two members of Britain's drug abuse advisory panel quit on Sunday in protest at the government's decision to sack the panel's chief on grounds he had overstepped his role and become too political.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson removed Professor David Nutt from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on Friday after Nutt argued that ecstasy, cannabis and LSD were less harmful than alcohol.

Nutt's dismissal upset many scientists who said they were concerned that politicians were getting rid of advisers simply because they did not like their advice, and that ministers should not cherry-pick data that suited their political agenda.

Les King, previously Head of the Drugs Intelligence Unit in the Forensic Science Service, said he had quit in protest and the Science Media Centre later on Sunday said Marion Walker, who represented the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, also resigned.

King said he expected others would follow.

"The Home Secretary denied David Nutt freedom of expression," King told BBC TV. "I don't think he did transgress the imaginary line between science and policy."

Nutt had accused ministers of misleading the public about the dangers of cannabis and ecstasy for purely political reasons, arguing people were more likely to die riding a horse than taking the drugs.

The government eased laws against cannabis in 2004 on the advisory body's advice but reversed the decision last year.